Kamala Harris considering 12 potential running mates, 4 top choices emerging
Vice President Kamala Harris is currently in the process of vetting potential running mates for the upcoming 2024 election, according to sources familiar with the campaign. With President Biden’s recent decision to step down, Harris is swiftly formalizing her campaign ticket.
Her team has reached out for information on around a dozen individuals, as reported by anonymous sources speaking to The Associated Press. Among the most talked-about prospects for the Democratic vice-presidential nomination are Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina.
The selection of Harris’ running mate will be crucial in setting the tone for her last-minute presidential campaign, which was kickstarted by Biden’s unexpected withdrawal and endorsement of his vice president.
Despite Harris’ efforts, the campaign of former President Trump, the Republican nominee in the 2024 election, has downplayed the significance of her vice-presidential pick. Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, dismissed the potential nominees as interchangeable, stating, “It doesn’t matter.”
On the other hand, Harris has garnered support from prominent Democrats such as the Clintons, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
A recent national poll conducted after Biden’s announcement of suspending his campaign shows a neck-and-neck race between Harris and Trump. Trump, who has been officially nominated as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate, holds 46% support among registered voters in the NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll.
Meanwhile, Harris, who claimed to have secured the Democratic nomination with verbal commitments from delegates at the upcoming Democratic National Convention, stands at 45% support. Trump’s marginal lead falls within the survey’s margin of error, with 9% of respondents still undecided.
